Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. . . . Made of Gumballs

I started the day at King Arts Complex, which is a cultural hub in the city that hosts creative summer camps for the kids.

This huge picture of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. greets visitors from the lobby wall.

It was created by the community and artist Franz Spohn using 12,408 GUMBALLS!

At the King Arts Complex, I worked with nine and ten year olds first.  There were about 20 kids.  There was drumming in the next room.  Loud drumming.  A counselor was tearing giant sheets of paper.  And sharpening pencils.  Those kids kept their focus on me and their mind on their writing.  I was so impressed with their kind and polite behavior.  Couldn't have asked for a nicer group of kids.

One boy pulled me aside to tell me how much he loves reading and shared some of his favorite books with me. 

The writing prompt was this:  Imagine yourself twenty years in the future winning an award for something important you've done.  Write your acceptance speech.   One boy pulled me aside and said, "I want to win the Caldecott Medal."  The Caldecott Medal!  Many adults have no idea what that is. 

The next group of eleven and twelve year olds were too cool for school, but they did share their writing.  One girl went so far above and beyond the prompt, adding a full story that involved her agent in Milan, Italy and included dialogue and an entire story around her winning the award. 

These experiences are always full of surprises.  And I always learn from them.

Later in the day, the young docents gave us a tour of the Thurber House.

Meg Brown with young docents

Me with young docents

Docents giving a tour of the Thurber House

Part of one wall in the Thurber museum

After the tour, I joined 100 people on the lawn for a delicious boxed dinner at a literary picnic.  We heard author Karen Harper talk about her books -- how place is so important when she begins a novel -- and about the publishing process.

Karen Harper signing books I bought for my friend Nancy and my dad.

Another beautiful day . . . for many reasons!

I Was in a Castle Today . . .

After a long day writing, I found myself at the beautiful public library in downtown Columbus.

Here's the wall leading into the children's room . . .

Once inside, you could enjoy reading a book in this CASTLE!!!

Raise your hand if you'd like to have had a castle in your childhood library.  ** Donna waves both hands wildly. **

My heart did a little skip when I perused the new middle grade books because I noticed a familiar title on the shelf . . .

My book may or may not have been face out when I, ahem, turned it face out.

  

After the library, I joined the teen writers group at the Thurber House Writing Center. 

We did a couple short writing prompts.  This group was so smart, savvy, funny and creative they could have handled a highly complex activity.  I was so impressed with these young writers!

Tomorrow, I'll be doing a couple more writing workshops and attending a literary picnic in the evening. 

This Thurber House gig sure is fun!

Fun at the Thurber House . . .

Today, I met the young campers.

Can you say, "Enthusiastic?"

I call this one:  "Pick me!"

There were eager to write their six-words biographies and their character profiles.

 And when I was told a camper would "absolutely die" if he didn't get to share his writing with me, I did this . . .

I made it just in time.  Whew!

Favorite part?  When the last camper was leaving, she ran back and gave me a big hug.

In the evening, there was a reception to welcome me.  I met the coolest people:  Librarians.  A principal.  Teachers.  Corporate communicators.  A bookstore owner.  One woman was on the Newbery committee the year Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust won.

And I finally got to meet Pat Shannon, who recently retired from the Thurber House.  Pat was the one who originally interviewed me for the residency.  It was so good to finally meet her! 

Pat Shannon

The people who work and volunteer here and are on the board here are some of the nicest people I've ever met!

When the reception ended, Meg Brown and I sat under a huge, leafy tree and enjoyed the cool, breezy weather. 

Here's Meg playing piano in the Thurber House sitting room . . .

When everyone was gone, I sat on a lawn chair and ate an ice cream bar for dinner.  This was my view . . .

There will be a literary picnic here Wednesday evening with author, Karen Harper.  Can't wait!

Tomorrow evening, I will spend time with the teen writers.  

And if my agent is reading this:  Tina, I'm writing and re-writing and . . . HAVING FUN!